Device and Method of Using Explosives to Breech a Surface

ABSTRACT

An explosive device used to breech a surface is disclosed. The device comprises a backing, a detonation cord secured to the backing and a shock tube. The detonation cord is arranged along the backing of the device and extends beyond the backing at at least one point of extension. The device comprises a shock tube with cap detonator, wherein the cap detonator is connected to the detonation cord at at least one point of extension. An igniter is attached to the opposite end of the shock tube. A method for breeching a surface is also disclosed.

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/375,787, filed Aug. 20, 2010, and is entitled to that filing date for priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/375,787 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a device and method of using explosives to breech a surface. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a device and method of using explosives to breech a surface or creating a hole in a surface while conducting firefighter operations.

BACKGROUND

A firefighter at the scene of a fire often has one or more of the following responsibilities: forcible entry, rescue, salvage and overhaul and ventilation. Ventilation is accomplished by dividing the truck company into two, two man teams. One team goes inside the structure or building the other team stays outside. A firefighter instructed to stay outside often has the job of turning off the utilities and cutting a ventilation hole wherever needed. Before cutting a four by four foot ventilation hole, the firefighter had to determine where and how to cut the hole. Typically, one ground ladder is thrown to the roof. A second ladder may be needed to hook over the ridge. Then, the firefighter would carry a chain saw and an ax to the roof to cut and clean out the ventilation hole. The roof often consists of two to three layers of shingles, decking and plywood. Injuries are common during ventilation.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a device of using explosives to breech a constructed surface thereby creating a hole in such surface, wherein the device is lightweight allowing the user of the device to transport the device up a ladder and onto such surface. Further, there exists a need for a device of using explosives to breech a constructed surface thereby creating a hole is such surface wherein the device is safe and creates a small amount of fragments thereby limiting the possibility of injury to the user or other after the breech. Still further, there exists a need for a device of using explosives to breech a constructed surface thereby creating a hole in such surface, wherein the device is moisture absorbent and/or has no adverse effects caused by moisture. And, finally, there exists a need for a device of using explosives to breech a constructed surface thereby creating a hole in such surface, wherein the device is fast and simple to deploy.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An explosive device used to breech a surface is disclosed. The device comprises a backing; a detonation cord secured to the backing. The detonation cord is arranged along the backing and extends beyond the backing at at least one point of extension. The device comprises a shock tube with cap detonator, wherein the cap detonator is connected to the detonation cord at at least one point of extension. An igniter is attached to the opposite end of the shock tube. In one embodiment, the device is bi-fold comprising two sections of backing and one hinge. In another embodiment, the device is tri-fold comprising three sections of backing and two hinges.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an adhesive used to secure the device to the surface. In another embodiment, the device comprises a handle. In still a further embodiment, the handle may be configures to allow placement of the device on a surface from a distance. In yet a further embodiment, the device comprises an absorbent material which secures the device to the surface.

A method for breeching a surface is also disclosed. The method comprises securing the backing of the device to the surface; extending the shock tube to a desired length; and igniting the shock tube. In one embodiment, the device is bi-fold comprising two sections of backing and one hinge. In another embodiment, the device is tri-fold comprising three sections of backing and two hinges.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an adhesive used to secure the device to the surface. In another embodiment, the device comprises a handle. In still a further embodiment, the handle may be configures to allow placement of the device on a surface from a distance. In yet a further embodiment, the device comprises an absorbent material which secures the device to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for using explosives to breech a constructed surface according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device for using explosives to breech a constructed surface thereby creating a hole in a surface having a bi-fold backing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device for using explosives to breech a constructed surface thereby creating a hole in a surface having a tri-fold backing according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, device 1 has backing 10, detonation cord 12 and a first adhesive. In one embodiment, backing 10 is made of two sheets of cardboard (glued or taped together) but may be made of any other material as desired by one of skill in the art. For example, backing 10 may be made of fiberglass, sheathing used for home construction, blackboard or foam, plywood, masonite, pressboard, OSB sheathing, or particle board. Backing 10 is used as tamping material or as a means of resistance in order to direct the charge in the opposite direction.

In one embodiment, backing 10 is four feet by four feet. In another embodiment, backing 10 may be smaller than four feet by four feet as desired by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, backing 10 comprises a continuous section of double cardboard or other material and is not manufactured to fold. In other embodiments, backing 10 comprise more than one section of double cardboard (or other material) and is manufactured to fold (as discussed below) which allows device 10 to fit into a compartment of a fire truck.

Detonation cord 12 is arranged on backing 10. Detonation cord 12 is secured to backing 10 by adhesive 14. Detonation cord 12 may be any size as desired by one skilled in the art depending on the thickness of the constructed surface being breeched. Detonation cord 12 is arranged on backing 10 and then extends from backing 10 at at least one point of extension creating pigtails 18. The length of pigtails 18 may be vary as desired by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the length is about eight inches or less. Pigtail 18 cradles or supports the cap detonator of a shock tube (not shown). In one embodiment, shock tube may be thirty two feet long. In another embodiment, shock tube may be forty feet long. Shock tube may be any length as desired by one skilled in the art as long as shock tube is long enough to allow the user of device 1 to be shielded or protected from any injury upon detonation of device 1. Igniter or trigger is connected to the other end of the shock tube.

Igniter or trigger is a device used to strike a primer. The primer may be a muzzle loader primer, a pistol primer, a shotgun primer or a rifle primer. A primer may be as small as a toy cap in a cap gun. Any device that acts as a striker (usually a device with loaded tension from a spring, recoil device or mechanically delivered action such as a hammer striking a nail) by hitting the base of the primer would function as an igniter. In one embodiment, a spring loaded center punch is used to strike the primer. Other methods to strike the primer, such as an electric igniter, may be used as desired by one skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, detonation cord 12 is secured to backing 10 by a first adhesive. In one embodiment, a first adhesive is transparent gaffers tape. First adhesive may be any other type of adhesive as desire by one of skill in the art. For example, first adhesive may be duct tape, electrical tape, cloth tape, masking tape, packaging tape, spray on adhesive, roll on adhesive or any type of glue.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, device 1 is bi fold comprising two sections of backing 10 and has one hinge 16. Detonation cord 12 is arranged along each section of backing 10 and is spaced about thirteen inches apart. Detonation cord 12 may be spaced apart at any other distance as desired by one of skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, device 1 is tri fold comprising three sections of backing 10 thereby having two hinges 16. Detonation cord 12 travels along the edges of each section. Detonation cord 12 is arranged along backing 10 and is spaced about nine and a quarter inches apart. Detonation cord 12 may be spaced apart at any other distance as desired by one of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, a second adhesive may be used to secure device 1 to a wall, roof or other constructed surface to secure device 1 to such surface before detonation. In one embodiment, such second adhesive is a starter strip. In another embodiment, such second adhesive is an ice shield (an extremely cohesive product used in the roofing industry). Such second adhesive may be glue mouse traps or insect traps, construction adhesives such as liquid nails, caulking, or any other adhesive as desired by one of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, device 1 comprises a handle. The handle may be centrally located on the backing of device 1, but may be placed on the device at other points of location as desired by one of skill in the art. The handle may be made of any type of material such as cardboard and/or tape. In one embodiment, the handle may be configured so that the device may be held by a pike pole or other device that would allow a firefighter to place device 1 on a burning structure from a distance.

In one embodiment, device 1 comprises an absorbent material such as sodium acrylate that allows device 1 to stay secure once placed on a burning structure, despite being exposed to elements such as water and fire.

In one embodiment, device 1 may be packaged, shipped and stored in a tamper resistant container that is durable, lightweight and easily opened. The container may be secured with a zipper and lock, a seal that must be broken, or an adhesive type seal that will not re-adhere once opened.

In one embodiment, a method for breeching a surface may be used. The method comprises (a) securing a device to a surface, wherein the device comprises a backing and a detonation cord secured to the backing, wherein the detonation cord is arranged along the backing and extends beyond the backing at at least one point of extension, and a shock tube with cap detonator connected to the detonation cord at at least one point of extension, wherein an igniter is attached to the opposite end of the shock tube; (b) extending the shock tube to a desired length; and (c) igniting the shock tube. In one embodiment, the device is bi-fold comprising two sections of backing on one hinge. In another embodiment, the device is tri-fold comprising three sections of backing and two hinges. In yet another embodiment, the device comprises an adhesive used to secure the device to a surface. In a further embodiment, the device comprises a handle. The handle may be configured to allow placement of the device on the surface from a distance. In one embodiment, the device comprises an absorbent material which secures the device to the surface.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosed invention and equivalents thereof. 

1. An explosive device used to breech a surface comprising: a) a backing; b) a detonation cord secured to the backing, wherein the detonation cord is arranged along the backing and extends beyond the backing at at least one point of extension; and c) a shock tube with cap detonator, wherein the cap detonator is connected to the detonation cord at at least one point of extension, wherein an igniter is attached to the opposite end of the shock tube.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is bi-fold comprising two sections of backing and one hinge.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is tri-fold comprising three sections of backing and two hinges.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein device 1 comprises an adhesive used to secure the device to the surface.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein device 1 comprises a handle.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the handle is configured to allow placement of the device on the surface from a distance.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an absorbent material which secures the device to the surface.
 8. A method for breeching a surface comprising: a) securing a device to a surface, wherein the device comprises a backing and a detonation cord secured to the backing, wherein the detonation cord is arranged along the backing and extends beyond the backing at at least one point of extension, and a shock tube with cap detonator connected to the detonation cord at at least one point of extension, wherein an igniter is attached to the opposite end of the shock tube; b) extending the shock tube to a desired length; and c) igniting the shock tube.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the device is bi-fold comprising two sections of backing on one hinge.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the device is tri-fold comprising three sections of backing and two hinges.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the device comprises an adhesive used to secure the device to a surface.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the device comprises a handle.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the handle is configured to allow placement of the device on the surface from a distance.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the device comprises an absorbent material which secures the device to the surface. 